The b-b-c test: Is it time to quit your job?

So, you’re not quite happy with your current job. You’ve been at it for a while, you feel a bit stuck, frustrated, and demotivated, and you’re thinking that it may be time to jump ship. But you’re not quite sure, because it’s scary, and because, despite all its flaws, your current job has some benefits.

If that’s you, then read on.  I’ll give you a simple test to check if you do indeed need to change your job, or if you just need to change the way you approach it.

I will also tell you how to interpret the results. The test consists of three parts with three questions each. Nine simple questions in total. I call it the B-B-C Test.

BBC Test - Part 1: Balance

Does it seem that your dreaded work-life balance is skewed towards a corporate rat race?

If it does, then it is a fair concern. We all know, especially us older folk, that time is the most valuable resource that any of us possess. Time is the ultimate currency. We exchange it for money, for leisure, for escape from the scary realities of life.

So, work-life balance effectively represents your own preferred allocation of time in a manner that makes you happier. So, it’s not about having it at 50-50. If you’re happy at 80 percent work, then good for you. That’s your balance. It will be different for every individual.

So, does your work-life balance really suck?

Here are three Yes or No questions you can ask yourself to help you decide. Ask them in the order that I give you here. Yes is 1 point. No – 0 points.

Question a:

Does this job help me reach my desired career?

 The famous question, where do you want to be in 5 years? If your current job does not advance you there, then there may indeed be a balance issue as you’re wasting your time with the wrong employer.

However, before answering that, just stop for a second and think if you played your cards right in your current company. Have you really shown value and outgrown your role? Or is it indeed the company that is holding your brilliant self back?

 Question b:

Do I get satisfaction from this job?

 If the job advances you towards your planned career, but you hate the process, then it fails the test of Balance. It may also be a sign that you may need to change your career direction.

Question c:

Can the problem be solved with time management and delegation?

Answer that honestly. It’s not great if you’re constantly burning the midnight oil and are feeling overwhelmed.

However, it’s not a great idea to change a job which is satisfying and is advancing your career for the wrong reasons. So, would getting better at managing your time or delegating your tasks to other people solve the issue?

If so – try that first. If you’re already awesome at this, then it’s a sign that you need to go.

BBC Test - Part 2: Boss

You remember that famous John Maxwell’s quote: “People quit people, not companies”? Those are very wise words. And that is why the Boss test is crucial to determine if you need to change jobs.

Again, we have three Yes or No questions here. Yes is 1 point. No – 0 points.

Question a:

Is my Boss a leader?

Let’s not go into textbook theories here listing differences between a manager and a leader. In fact, a great boss is always both, But, if you have to choose, always go for the latter.

And here are the main characteristics of a leader:

• Has a clear vision

• Inspires to do your best work

• Has your back. when it counts

Question b:

Does my boss care about my career?

 First of all, ask yourself if you’re great at your job.

f your honest reply is yes, then ask yourself if your boss really cares about your career?

Has he openly given you credit, granted you with authority and responsibility, pushed for your promotion title or money-wise?

Question c:

Does my Boss have power?

Your Boss may be an inspirational leader for you and very keen to advance your career, but does he have the power or influence to change things within the organization, or does he or she always end up rolled over by higher levels of management?

BBC Test - Part 3: Culture

Company culture is something that is created by the CEO and the executive management and then trickles down and mutates through all the levels of the organization.

Sometimes, if the company is big enough, you may have a great local group or department culture within a horrendous organizational culture. Unfortunately, in such cases, the big culture tends to eventually infect and consume the little oasis of the local one.

So, this test is for the total organization, not your segment of it.

Question a:

Does it reward performance?

If it doesn’t, and it hasn’t for a while, then it never will.

However, again, dig deep and answer if you really are a high performer? Being in a company for a number of years, having bills, and not getting into trouble is not high performance. Getting stuff done better than expected is high performance.

Question b:

Does it thrive on giving credit?

In my eyes, one of the most important values for an organization should be giving due credit to employees.

If the company culture allows the deserving employees to go without receiving credit for their great work and permits some sneaky bastards to steal other people’s credit, then it is a terrible sign.

 Question c:

Does it practice bad economy?

Is the best team Christmas lunch you can hope for one you buy yourselves?

Do you always fly economy at the most uncomfortable times and stay in crappy hotels?

Do you have to fight for every single dime on your salary review?

If that’s the case, while you are objectively producing growth and profit for the business, then, sorry, your company practices bad economy. It's a sign to search for another one.

Results & choices

So, nine questions in total. Maximum 9 points.

Here’s the full lit of questions for convenience:

1) Does this job help me reach my desired career?

2) Do I get satisfaction from this job?

3) Can the Balance problem be solved with time management and delegation?

4) Is my boss a leader?

5) Does my boss care about my career?

6) Does my boss have power?

7) Does my company reward performance?

8) Does my company thrive on giving credit?

9) Does my company practice bad economy?

Now, how many points do you have?

1-3 points: Get out now. It may, in fact, be a good idea to just quit your job before searching for a new one. Because the damage it does to your mental health may be too expensive for you long-term.

4-7 points: Search for a different job. Be methodical and thoughtful about it. Leverage your network. One thing you don’t want is to change one bad gig for another. It may also be a good time to consider a side hustle or a business.

8-9 points: Your job is not as bad as you may think. Many things that are frustratingSomething went wrong while responding to your request.